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Category Archives: History

State Board of Education members on Friday gave final approval to a new generation of social studies textbooks and e-books that will reflect a more conservative view of U.S.history than books used for the past dozen years. The 89 books on the list were adopted along partisan lines, with all 10 Republicans voting yes and all five Democrats voting no.

Board member Mavis Knight of Dallas and other Democrats said they were not unhappy with publishers over their new books, but were very dissatisfied with the curriculum standards that publishers were required to meet, particularly for U.S.history. Those standards were originally adopted four years ago over the objections of Democrats, who complained they highlighted more conservative figures in history and were tilted toward a conservative point of view.

One digital publisher was penalized by the board, which voted Friday to remove their six proposed social studies e-books from the adoption list. That publisher, WorldView, came under fire for initially resisting suggestions for changes from the board and the public. WorldView submitted hundreds of proposed changes on Thursday in an effort to keep its materials on the adoption list, but it was too late. Only three board members voted to approve their books.

Although some members wanted to delay action because of all the late changes submitted by publishers this week, the board is under a Dec. 1 deadline to present their list of recommended textbooks and digital books to school districts. Current social studies books were adopted 12 years ago, so many of them are incomplete or out of date.

Among the areas that were objected to by textbooks critics who testified earlier this week were global warming, coverage of Muslims and Islamic terrorists, and the role of religion in the founding of the U.S. Complaints also were made about treatment of important historical figures. One world history book was cited for its mostly positive coverage of former Communist leaders Joseph Stalin of Russia and Mao Zedong of China, while giving short shrift to former U.S.leaders like Ronald Reagan.

Board members on Friday also adopted new books for high school math and fine arts. All the new books will go out to schools in the fall of 2015.

This is the second straight year of hotly debated textbooks in Texas. Last year, the board approved new science books that sparked differing views about how much students should learn about Charles Darwin and evolution. The next textbook adoption should be a more subdued affair as the only books up for consideration are foreign languages.

Texas school districts are not required to purchase materials on the board’s recommended list, but most do so because those textbooks and digital books are certified to cover the state’s curriculum standards and the questions that appear on achievement tests. Textbook adoptions in Texas are closely watched because the state is one of the largest purchasers in the nation and its books are frequently marketed in other states.

State Board of Education members will try again Friday to adopt new social studies textbooks and e-books after reviewing hundreds of recent changes to the books by publishers.

Board members balked at preliminary approval at a meeting on Tuesday, with several members saying they were uncomfortable voting before they had reviewed the finished products. But the panel is under a deadline to approve the materials on Friday so they can be printed and in classrooms by the fall of 2015. Current social studies books were adopted 12 years ago, so many of them are incomplete or out of date.

Nearly 100 social studies books are up for consideration and most are expected to win the board’s stamp of approval. But some publishers were still scrambling this week to make last-minute changes in response to objections from some board members and the public.

Among the areas that have raised concern are global warming, coverage of Muslims and Islamic terrorists, and the role of religion in the founding of the U.S. Complaints also have been made about treatment of some politicians, which prompted one publisher to delete coverage of Hillary Rodham Clinton and remove negative references about former President George W. Bush.

This is the second straight year of hotly debated textbooks inTexas. Last year, the board approved new science books that sparked the usual back-and-forth about how much students should learn about Charles Darwin and evolution. Next year’s adoption should be a more subdued affair as the only books up for consideration are foreign languages.

Texas school districts are not required to purchase materials on the board’s recommended list, but most do so because those textbooks and digital books are certified to cover the state’s curriculum standards and the questions that appear on achievement tests. Textbook adoptions in Texas are closely watched because the state is one of the largest purchasers in the nation and its books are frequently marketed in other states.

State Board of Education members are slated this week to adopt nearly 100 proposed history, government and other social studies textbooks and e-books that will be used by Texas students beginning in the fall of 2015. Consideration of the new books will begin with a public hearing Tuesday afternoon that will allow critics to have their final say before the board takes action on the books. Groups from both sides of the political spectrum have complained about the materials, but publishers have already addressed many of the issues by either proposing changes or defending what is written in their books.

Some board members said they don’t expect to see the panel demand any major changes before the textbooks receive their final vote of approval on Friday, particularly after publishers responded to many of the complaints following a public hearing in September. Science education groups and the Texas Freedom Network were successful in getting four major publishers to improve their coverage of global warming. In addition, publishers have corrected a number of textbook passages that reinforced negative stereotypes about Muslims. But the TFN and some academics are still pushing against what they say is an exaggeration of the religious influences in the founding of the U.S. contained in proposed history books. Publishers have so far declined to reword their books.

One conservative group that came into the review process late is trying to get hundreds of changes by publishers, but the group – the Truth in Texas Textbooks Coalition – has no previous record of involvement with textbooks. Among other changes, the group is seeking to sharpen coverage of extremist Muslims in history books. The group was founded by a San Antonio tea party leader who has ties to a national anti-Muslin organization. But the coalition is also seeking revisions related to global warming and other hot button issues. Conservative groups have not been as active on books this year in part because they are based on curriculum standards adopted by the state board in 2010 that reflected a more conservative view of U.S.history.

As one of the largest textbook purchasers in the nation,Texas has a strong influence on textbooks and e-books used in other states. Although school districts in Texas are free to choose whatever books they want to use, most stay with the list adopted by the State Board of Education because it tracks the state’s curriculum standards and the questions asked on student achievement tests.

Scores of witnesses are scheduled to testify at a public hearing Tuesday on new social studies textbooks and e-books that have already come under attack from some critics. The hearing before the State Board of Education comes four years after board members clashed over the curriculum standards that have been incorporated in the books. The materials are for U.S.history, world history,U.S.government and other social studies courses.

Board members will not vote on the new books until November, but they are expected to carefully consider the comments received during the hearing, expected to last for much of the day on Tuesday. Books adopted this year will be used in Texas schools beginning in the fall of 2015. School districts are not required to use the materials adopted by the board, but most do because books that make the list of recommended materials are guaranteed to include the curriculum that must be taught in each class and is tested on state achievement exams.

Last week, the Texas Freedom Network, an education advocacy and watchdog group, criticized several of the books for alleged bias and accused some publishers of caving in to the ideological leanings of social conservative groups. Another group contends that some of the books have watered down coverage of such issues as global warming. Publishers will be given an opportunity to correct any errors that are discovered in their materials before they are distributed to schools.Texas last adopted new social studies books in 2002. As one of the largest textbook purchasers in the nation,Texas has a strong influence on books marketed in other states.

The Valle family, however, wasn’t satisfied by merely arriving. Over 85 years in Garland, its four generations made notable contributions in military service, stressed education and performed in musical and theater arts. It boasts the first father-and-son combination ever inducted into the Garland Sports Hall of Fame.

Michael Potts and Nikki Ramirez, shown in Afghanistan in 2013, are among six active duty members of a long and impressive Valle family U.S. military legacy. All six of Manuel and Maria Valle's sons served during wartime.

The attached document, contributed from the family, details its growth from Manuel and Maria’s original settlement in Garland to a roster of 204 members and spouses. “They have known what it is to be different, to be poor, to be discriminated against,” it reads.

“But all of this gave them more fuel to excel. All their successes are because of hard work. They are all true living role models for all their children and other children, especially for Hispanic children.”

A poster version of the stamp, set up by Lincoln High Associate Principal LaJoyce Johnson and student Tafari Witter, will remain on display at the school.

Staff writer Kian Hervey reports:

Students, Dallas community members, and representatives of the U.S. Postal Service gathered at Lincoln High School this morning for the unveiling of a new stamp honoring civil rights pioneer Rosa Parks.

They’re more than just postage — they’re America’s calling cards,” said Bobby Collins, officer-in-charge of the U.S. Postal Service Dallas. “Stamps celebrate our culture, remind us of our history, and help us appreciate our heritage.”

The limited edition stamp first went on sale Feb. 4, at the beginning of Black History Month. The Parks stamp is one of three in a new civil rights collection to be distributed this year.